"I'm interested in the Canada of the Self and not the Canada that is sold to us.”
-- Gord Downie
The Tragically Hip, AKA 'The Hip', formed in Kingston, Ontario, in 1984. Known for their distinct blend of rock and poetic lyrics, are a musical and cultural institution in Canada.
The Hip's career began with their self-titled EP in 1987, followed by their debut full-length album, "Up to Here" in 1989. The album featured hits like "Blow at High Dough" and "New Orleans Is Sinking," establishing their presence in a flowering of Canadian bands in the CanCon period.
The Tragically Hip then released a series of critically acclaimed albums, including "Fully Completely" (1992) and "Day for Night" (1994). These albums included iconic tracks like "Courage" and "Grace, Too," which highlighted lead singer Gord Downie's unique lyrical style.
The band's music examines Canadian themes, belonging, identity and place. Downie's evocative and sometimes mystifying lyrics, combined with the band's dynamic instrumentation, resonated deeply with fans across Canada and the northern US.
In addition to their studio work, The Tragically Hip were known for their compelling live performances. They developed a reputation for energetic and emotionally charged shows full of extemporaneous fills from Mr. Downie. Killer Whale tank, anyone?
Despite their widespread popularity in Canada and a spot on Saturday Night Live, international success largely eluded them. This status was solidified when the band embarked on a farewell tour in 2016 following Downie's terminal cancer diagnosis. The tour culminated in a nationally televised final concert in Kingston.
When he died, much of the nation mourned. I cried. You cried. The prime minister cried. Sidenote, I still can't get through Introduce Yerself without tears.
The Tragically Hip released 13 studio albums, earning awards and accolades, including multiple Juno Awards. For people of a certain age or a certain disposition, the Hip are part of what it means to be Canadian. Even if we didn't know what Gord was saying, we knew what he meant. He communicated a deep love of his country.
Gord's death in 2017 marked the end for the band, The Tragically Hip's legacy endures.
